Thursday, August 23, 2012

Election year is upon us and what better way to teach children about campaigning, voting, and the election process than through Cheryl and Peter Barnes’ critically-acclaimed book Woodrow for President!

Featuring Woodrow G. Washingtail, a civic-minded mouse with presidential ambitions, Woodrow for President follows Woodrow as he runs for president of the United Mice of America.

Taking children on a journey from Woodrow’s schoolmouse days full of hard work and community service to his time as governor of Moussouri to his bid for president of the United Mice of America, Woodrow for President introduces children to campaigning, elections, volunteering, and more through this fun—and educational—story of one mouse’s dream to become the nation’s “Big Cheese.”

Featuring a contract for voting between parents and kids as well as fun activities such as “find the secret service agent” in every illustration, Woodrow for President is perfect for any child in K-4 who might one day aspire to be the “Commander in Cheese.”

About The Author and Illustrator

Peter W. and Cheryl Shaw Barnes
Peter W. and Cheryl Shaw Barnes are the founders and owners of VSP Books, an Alexandria, Va., children's book publisher. It publishes educational books for children about special and historic places. Its work has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, CNN, Child magazine, the National Council for the Social Studies and other news and educational organizations.

Cheryl Barnes.Cheryl is a self-taught artist who was born and raised in Alexandria. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Women's College with a bachelor's degree in political science. After working in the Washington, D.C., area, she moved to Los Angeles, where she co-founded an architecture firm. There she developed the love and appreciation for architecture reflected in her books. She and her family returned to Virginia in 1990. She is currently the Executive Director of the Wheelchair Foundation, a non-profit group that distributes free wheelchairs to developing countries. She is an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers sorority, and is a member of the board of Northern Virginia Reading Is Fundamental.

Peter Barnes.Peter is a Washington-based broadcaster and journalist. He currently is the Washington Bureau Chief of Hearst-Argyle Television, which operates 27 network affiliate TV stations. Previously, he worked for TechTV and CNBC. In 1997, he won an Ace Award, the cable television industry's highest honor, for a documentary on the crisis in America's retirement system. He was born in Rochester, N.Y., and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and earned a masters degree in finance from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Peter has also worked for several other news organizations, including the Wall Street Journal. He was a member of the board of directors of Kids Voting USA, Tempe, AZ, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to teaching children about the political process.

The Barneses have two children and live in Alexandria.

I found this book to be a great and timely one in this election year. Read this with our 5 and 7 year old boys, and the oldest was especially interested. What captured both boys were the drawing, they were really interested in finding the Presidential Seal...kind of like an Ispy.
As we traveled through the White House, the rhyming prose gives a look at the House and the Election Process. They rhyming is excellent and does not seem forced, and the Children stayed attentive.
The back of the book is for the Parents...filled with some interesting facts and resources. I also think that you can share some of the tidbits that are offered here with the children.
While the beautiful illustrations are sometimes small, after a teacher has read this to her class, the book could be passed around in single or in pairs to look them over and maybe find the Seals.
I actually would give this book a 4+ stars...found it so interesting and full of great facts.

I received this book from TLC Book Tours, and the Publisher Little Patriot Press, and was not required to give a positive review.